The Global Language of Business

GS1 session at global IHF Conference in Taipei, Taiwan

GS1 held a session about 'Benefits of GS1 identifiers to enhance patient safety and quality of care' during the World Hospital Congress of the International Hospital Federation (IHF) that took place in Taipei, Taiwan, on 7-9 November. The conference was attended by 850 participants from 48 countries.

Els van der Wilden, GS1 Director Healthcare Providers, moderated the debate among the three speakers: Dr Charles Hou, Department of Internal Medicine from Mackay Memorial Hospital, Chinese Taipei; Dr Anthony Wong, Senior Pharmacist Hospital Authority Hong Kong, China; Justin Bitter, MSc Manager OR at Bernhoven Hospital, the Netherlands. They all shared about implementing GS1 identifiers in hospital care, challenges faced, the need for a consistent vision and discussed benefits for patient safety, cost efficiency and sustainability. The panellists agreed that the need to have all products (GS1) barcoded in the right way upon entry into the hospital is important.